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Hello and Welcome to SMART DOGS‘ blog, where Dogs are beloved Friends, Family Members and Teachers! Whether you already know us from SMART DOGS facebook page, our Plumwood Posse youtube channel, taking Classes at SMART DOGS Training Center, or are meeting us for the first time, we hope our blog helps you Think, Learn, and Grow. We also hope it helps you understand and use positive reinforcement and two-way communication to build strong, healthy relationships. Our blog emphasizes Learning, Behavior and Health – learning about yourself as you learn about your dog, with your dog, and from your dog; understanding Continue Reading →

Meet the Plumwood Posse, my dogs who bring inspiration, delight, laughter, friendship, lessons and knowledge to each and every day! Shown L to R in the photo below are: Chibi-chan RN, Penelope, GingerPeach CRO-I CGC retired Therapy Dog, Geronimo CRO-I CGC, Rocky CD RA and Piglet P-CRO-III. I coined the name “Plumwood Posse” over a decade ago, the group shown below is version 7.0. As for their ages and breeds: Chibi-chan is a senior gentleman and a mix of toy breeds, Penelope a ~3 year old rat terrier, GingerPeach and Rocky are ~10-11 year old Golden Retrievers (perhaps with a Continue Reading →

In the photo above, Geronimo and Rocky wait in the background while Piglet practices a tunnel. Being able to calmly, pleasantly, patiently “wait” is a crucial skill for Life in the SMART Zone where health, safety, harmony, and low stress levels prevail. This skill is important not only for your health & stress level but also your dog’s health & stress level. Whether you share your home with 1 dog, or 2 or more dogs, there are numerous situations in your everyday life where a wait is useful. The dog’s position while waiting might be a stand, a sit or Continue Reading →

January 2013 marked the launch of SMART DOGS’ Agility Program! And launch we did! 8 Agility classes in 7 months: Agility Levels 1 and 2, and Therapeutic Agility* Levels 1 and 2. SMART DOGS’ students are having a blast learning this sport. And of course, they Rocked! 🙂 Impressive progress by each Team. The canine students were a wonderful variety of sizes and breeds which added to the fun! Agility Classes are now on summer break due to the Arkansas heat & humidity but will resume with our 2013 Fall Session. Students are eager to get back on course and Continue Reading →

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As posted many times in pics on SMART DOGS facebook page, “wait” and “stay” are skills the Posse and I use multiple times a day. I couldn’t imagine our lives without these skills. Skills essential for a happy, safe, harmonious family – regardless of the number of dogs in said family.

Last evening in the field, I heard a high pitched cry and recognized it as a baby rabbit. Piglet had found one. A few minutes earlier in the same general area, Penelope had excitedly jumped at a rabbit outside the fence as he raced off to a safer place.

As soon as I heard the cry, I gave the Posse a “come” cue and reinforced their excellent responses – prompt ones amid high excitement and distraction. I then cued “stay” and went to locate the baby rabbit. I asked Piglet to help me.

Unlike GingerPeach, Rocky, Chibi, Penelope, and all my other dogs before her, Piglet has never tried to harm any of the animals she finds – kittens, fledgling birds, baby rabbits, *nests* of baby rabbits, moles, etc. During the past 10 years of living on this wildlife-rich property, she has shown me many rabbit nests. Always with a calm, curious, gentle demeanor.

I asked Piglet to “find it” and she put her head down and got busy searching. Sniff, sniff, sniff…Success! Piglet showed me where he was! A baby Cottontail who appeared just old enough for leaving the nest. I gently but quickly scooped him up, held him against my stomach, and covered him with my shirt (uncovered him to take the pics below). How adorable is he?!

I cued another “find it” for Piglet and motioned toward the ground. While she used her nose, I used my eyes and together we searched for additional baby rabbits and/or a nest but found neither.

Feeling comfortable that the area was clear of rabbits, I released the rest of the Posse and they *eagerly* joined the search party. I watched closely just in case additional finds were made. While Piglet and I shared the goal of search & rescue, I knew their goal was search & consume. After letting them enjoy a brief sniff fest’, I called everyone off and we moved a good distance away.

I snapped a few group pics while nonchalantly holding the baby rabbit. Rabbit? What rabbit? I don’t have a rabbit tucked in my shirt. I’m just taking pics of you guys. I then cued “stay” as the little rabbit and I set off to find a safe place for his release.

The Posse watched as I walked around sizing up a few different locations. I chose an area of tall grass where we often see rabbits emerge & retreat. His movements upon release looked good and he appeared unharmed. I’m sure a bit stressed but physically unharmed.

I walked back to the Posse. They were curious and excited, but had stayed beautifully. Such patient and helpful companions. Life with Successful, Motivated And Reliably Trained Dogs is wonderful for many, many reasons. I’m sure this baby rabbit agrees!

Piglet and I will be on the lookout for him and his many relatives. The rest of Posse will be doing the same, though their goal differs from ours.